Moore: With O-line a mess, Cowboys' Jerry Jones must find a walk-in starter in NFL Draft

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Tyron Smith, left, is the only offensive linement the Cowboys have drafted in the first round during the Jerry Jones era. That needs to change this year, writes David Moore. (G.J. McCarthy/The Dallas Morning News)

OK, as theories go, this may produce less opposition than the one about climate change. But the Cowboys' crying need to upgrade this position can't be minimized or deferred to another draft.

The skill positions have always captured the imagination of Jerry Jones. That's fine. But it's strange that a former college offensive lineman has been so dismissive of the position during his ownership of the Cowboys.

Jones still has an affinity for those in the trenches. He has been known to rave and gush about backup tackle Jermey Parnell to the point where if you walked up on the tail-end of the conversation, you would think he was talking about Dez Bryant.

But in the 24 years Jones has owned the Cowboys, he's invested a first-round pick in an offensive lineman only once. Before he took tackle Tyron Smith two years ago, Jones was content to throw an occasional second-round pick at the position, try to develop talent out of the middle rounds or skip straight to free agency to sign proven, and often over-priced, talent.

This financial model is no longer feasible.

The Cowboys ripped apart an aging offensive line and began to rebuild two years ago in Jason Garrett's first draft as head coach. At the moment, it appears the team has built a bridge to nowhere instead of the future.

That is why the Cowboys must address the offensive line in this week's draft. They need a player who can come in and start from Day One.

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